Week 32: Squishy Squash

This week, Bean is the size of a squash but is moving around a lot more than a squash. Sometimes, I can see her moving around inside Mom's belly. It's weird. Mom had a doctor's appointment on Monday, and Bean's heartbeat is strong and she's really happy inside Mom's belly. She's about 3 pounds, and Dr. Hamel (Mom's doctor) thinks she's going to be a nice, small baby. They're both aiming for a 7-8 pound baby.

Mom has been feeling tired and nauseous lately, as well as experiencing some Braxton Hicks contractions. Not to worry, though. That's all normal third trimester stuff. Everyone is right on track and doing well. Mom and Dad went to a day-long Prepared Childbirth class at the hospital last weekend. They learned a lot and are feeling much less anxious about Bean's arrival. They also had a chance to tour the Labor & Delivery and Mother/Baby units of the hospital at Sarasota Memorial. Apparently, they are VERY NICE. Bean will be coming into quite the posh setting.  Then, Mom went to a breastfeeding class later in the week with her other pregnant friend, Erica. They had a hard time not giggling. They are both super overwhelmed with the thought of breastfeeding now. Oh well - nothing to be done about that!

Week 32 - today was a good morning

This week, we had visitors which was SO MUCH FUN!!! Grammy Babiarz and her best friend Ellen came to town. Ellen is THE BEST at playing sock which has made me so happy. I like going to work with Dad, but it's really fun to come home to Grammy snuggles and Ellen sock time.

Week 31: 31 Bump Street and Pineapple Ave

Bean is the size of a pineapple this week! I know of at least one TV power couple that is excited by the news. Mom and Dad know what I mean. That's all that matters.

Shawn and Gus from Psych....obviously

Bean has developed all five senses at this point, and her brain is getting smarter and smarter. She'll be ready for college in to time (Gettysburg Class of 2035!!!). She is also working on her ninja skills as she tries to re-position herself for delivery. Over the next few weeks, she's trying to spin so she's facing down. Currently, Mom is convinced she has her sense of direction, as in none. She just keeps kicking back and forth, side to side, usually while Mom is trying to sleep or in an important meeting at work. Not cool, Bean. 

31 weeks - picture taken at work thanks
to Paige since Dad is out of town.

Dad had to travel again this week for work. He went to California. I hear it's really nice there. While he was gone, Mom and I hung around the house and watched an abnormal amount of Law & Order. Mom is really into it. I just like the snuggles. Plus, she gives me leftovers of her dinner, so that's a plus. This weekend, Mom and Dad have an all day child-birthing class at the hospital. I imagine that they will both be scared, tired and totally overwhelmed by the time they come home from it. Again - that should lead to some good snuggle time for me. 

In the end, though, they're going to be the coolest parents in the class. I know it. 

Week 30: Cool as a cucumber

The size of a cucumber but weighing about 3 pounds, Bean is focused on gaining weight and fat. She's getting squooshier by the day! Mom is having some trouble sleeping and is experiencing some discomfort when she moves too fast. The baby belly is getting pretty heavy. Speaking of discomfort, Mom's back hurts all the time now. I know she's looking forward to the time when that stops happening. She and Dad are still going to the gym together, though, which actually seems to help Mom's back feel better. Plus, she hasn't been swelling at all. I know she's grateful for that.

Week 30 --- Holy bump, Batman!

Mom and Dad had an excellent time in New Jersey last week and weekend. They ate a lot of pork roll, bagels, and donuts. They also spent some time with their friends and lounged around watching Law & Order and HGTV. All and all, it was a great vacation and a beautiful wedding. Matt was Mom's first friend and Dad's fraternity brother in college. Mom met Allie a few years later. It was a great wedding, and a great time spent with Aunt Meg for me, but when they got home I was really tired. I'm still trying to catch up on sleep.

Mom, Dad, and Bean in
Stone Harbor, NJ for the wedding

Me. I was trying to nap, but Mom kept taking my picture.

Week 29: Seriously? Acorn Squash? Whaaaaaa????

Week 29 and Bean is the size of an acorn squash. Where do people come up with this stuff? First of all, no one knows what one is or what to do with them. Except for Martha Stewart. She has a million ideas for "delightful ways" that an acorn squash can make any home feel festive for Fall. That's insane. Don't believe me? Here are FIFTEEN recipes you can make with acorn squash. http://www.marthastewart.com/275063/acorn-squash-recipes/@center/276955/seasonal-produce-recipe-guide

Anyway, back to Bean - the star of our blog. Mom and Bean had a doctor's appointment on Monday and everything is perfect. Bean is about 2.5 pounds and growing rapidly, as Mom's growing belly will attest. Bean is continuing to fatten up nicely and still has enough room for kicks, flips, and rib cage boxing. Mom feels good and hasn't had any swelling yet, even when she's been on her feet for hours. Her doctor is very happy about that.

29 Weeks at 121 Ocean Ave in OCNJ

This week's post is late because Mom and Dad were in NJ for their friend's wedding in Stone Harbor. I'll post pictures from the wedding next week. This was Bean's first trip to both the Ocean City beach house and the LBI beach house, so it's a pretty big deal. I spent a few days with my Aunt Meg, Justin and cousin Buddha. We spent the time playing, sleeping, and going to visit the doggie park by her house. It was so much fun! She's the best aunt ever!!  Also, I got a haircut this week. Thank you for noticing. I think it really sets off my adorable features and accentuates my svelte figure.

Me and my new hair cut. I feel very handsome. 

Week 28: Eggplant Parmesan with a side of spaghetti, please!

Welcome to the third trimester everyone! Bean is the size of an eggplant - Mom feels like the size of a house (and she knows it's only going to get worse). Thankfully, the Hell Fires of Florida are subsiding, and the weather is a bit more tolerable. Bean is starting to look more and more like a baby inside Mom's belly. Meanwhile, Mom's belly continues to grow and she's almost able to use her tummy like a shelf, which is very cool. Mom also changed her hair color to brown this week. It's a lot less upkeep than the blonde. I think it looks nice!!

28 Weeks: Brown hair and sporting the
dress she wore for her PA baby shower

This week, Mom and Dad went to their first baby preparation class at Sarasota Memorial Hospital. They did pretty well. Dad is a rockstar at swaddling and Mom feels ready to tackle bath time. They even got this really cool certificate after they completed the class. They also got the cutest surprise gifts from Mom's Gettysburg College friend! Eileen was so nice and sent Bean some proper Gettysburg College gear. The glorious Orange and Blue!

Proof that they know how to swaddle and change a diaper

Gettysburg College is a very special place

I continue to take my snuggling duties very seriously. It doesn't hurt that Mom's bump is the perfect size pillow for me to rest my head on after a long day at the office with Dad. Have an excellent weekend everyone!

Week 27: Studebaker rutabaga

27 weeks - and Mom's official final week in the second trimester. Bean is growing and getting fatter inside Mom's belly. She's developing brain activity and practicing breathing. Big news for this week: Dad was finally able to feel Bean kick! Dad had his hand on Mom's belly and Bean did a whollop of a soccer kick. It was very cool.  Mom's back aches are getting worse as Bean puts more pressure on her rib cage, but it's very exciting to know that's because the baby is getting bigger. And so is Mom!

27 weeks pregnant and battling
nasty cold and cough

Mom and Dad are finally starting to feel better. They've both been battling the coughing plague of 2014. I've been trying to take care of Mom and Bean the best that I can, but that meant a lot of late nights and almost no sleep. I'm so tired! Mom went to the doctor to get some medicine to help her and Bean sleep through the night, and it has made a world of difference. I'm looking forward to catching up on sleep this weekend, though. 

Playing Nurse Loki is a rough gig

Mom and Dad also took big steps this week in Bean's room and picked colors! They have gray furniture, white curtains and teal and coral accent colors for the room. It will look really pretty when all is said and done. Mom started working on Bean's baby quilt this week. Stay tuned for more progress pictures now that Mom is feeling better.

The start of Bean's baby quilt

Week 26: Lettuce give thanks!

This week has been a rough one for Mom, but don't worry - Dad and I have taken excellent care of her. She got a 24-hour bug on Wednesday, which would be terrible enough, but her blood pressure got really low this week because she was sick and dehydrated. Pregnancy dehydration is no joke, you guys. PSA: if you're pregnant, you basically need to drink a swimming pool a day in order to stay hydrated, especially when it's Florida Hell-Fires hot.  Be careful out there!  In any event, she got an IV of fluids and she's doing much better.  Bean is a trooper - she didn't feel a thing. Mom, on the other hand, felt pretty icky. But she's all smiles now!!

IV fluids because Mom didn't
drink enough water while sick

I played nurse and took super good
care of Mom!!

The size of a head of lettuce, Bean is about to start opening her eyes inside Mom's belly though I'm not sure what she'll see. She's also getting a strong immune system now, and despite Mom being sick, Bean is getting all of the antibodies she needs to be healthy and happy when she's born.

26 weeks and counting - one more week in
the second trimester. Then it's on to the
home stretch!